ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah accepted the prosecution’s arguments following detailed submissions from lawyers representing both sides.

Aleema Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Faisal Malik, told the court that her only role during the protest was meeting her brother, former prime minister Imran Khan, in jail. He said she only conveyed a message from the PTI founder to the party and the public.

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Malik argued that “Peaceful protests enjoy democratic and constitutional protection.” He said Aleema Khan shared the message through the media, yet no journalist or media outlet was made a witness in the case.

The court questioned whether this meant the media should also be accused. The defense replied that Aleema Khan and journalists only reported the same message, and there were no witnesses to any conversation inside the jail.

Malik further said that the charges under Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act do not prove Aleema Khan’s guilt. He called the case politically motivated and said that conveying a message does not make someone legally responsible.

Prosecutor Zaheer Shah opposed the plea, saying Aleema Khan was charged under five clauses of the ATA based on investigation findings. He argued that protest organizers hold responsibility under the “theory of control.”

He said the media had no role in organizing the protest and questioned why journalists should be involved as witnesses. The prosecutor added that protesters themselves admitted they organized the event.

Reading transcripts of Aleema Khan’s media talks, Shah said the constitution allows protests only within the law. He claimed the protest turned violent and aimed to destabilize the government.

The prosecutor said Aleema Khan stated that the PTI founder instructed protesters to proceed even without an NOC. “How can this be called a peaceful protest?” he asked.

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He told the court that one police officer was martyred, 170 were injured, and businesses across the country were disrupted. He added that protesters admitted, “We shut down the country,” and armed groups were brought from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab.

The prosecutor informed the court that statements of 18 witnesses have already been recorded. He said there was no legal ground for acquittal. The court agreed and dismissed the petition.

The D-Chowk protest followed Imran Khan’s “final call” for nationwide demonstrations. Protesters gathered in Islamabad, but a state operation ended the protest on November 26 after PTI leaders left the scene.